Doonbeg National School
Doonbeg, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 63 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 31 girls, 32 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 11765U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Doonbeg National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school situated in the coastal village of Doonbeg, County Clare. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Killaloe, the school delivers a balanced curriculum that nurtures intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual and moral development. A strong Catholic ethos underpins daily life, with prayer incorporated into the school day and preparation for the sacraments, while pupils of all faiths are welcomed and supported. The school places a high priority on inclusivity, offering a special class for children with autism spectrum disorder and a shared special‑education teacher, ensuring that every child can thrive in a safe and caring environment. The purpose‑built premises feature spacious classrooms equipped with the latest ICT technologies, a multi‑use hall for both school and community activities, and a large tarmacadam playground marked for a variety of games suitable for all ages. Doonbeg NS has a proud sporting heritage, recently winning the Cumann na mBunscol Division 5 and Clare Primary Schools Wild Atlantic Way Division 4 football titles. The school’s commitment to excellence is reflected in national recognitions such as the Junior Entrepreneur, Active School, Blue Star, Digital Schools of Distinction and Peace Proms programmes.
History
Doonbeg National School was founded in 1879 to accommodate one hundred pupils. Within a few years enrolment rose to 242, prompting the opening of a separate girls’ school in 1888. In 1971 the boys’ and girls’ schools amalgamated to form the present co‑educational institution. The school marked its 125th anniversary in 2004 and, in 2007, moved to a new purpose‑built campus at its current location.
Applying to Doonbeg National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Doonbeg National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Doonbeg National School
How many pupils attend Doonbeg National School?
Doonbeg National School has 63 pupils enrolled, 31 girls and 32 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Doonbeg National School a DEIS school?
No. Doonbeg National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Doonbeg National School?
Doonbeg National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.